Corpse-dressing table



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAURA B. .'rIUDDLESTOhL'OF WINCHESTER, INDIANA.

CORPSE-DRESSING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 503,969, dated August 29, 1893. Application lfiled February 15, 1893. Serial No.462,529. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAURA B. HUDDLEsToN, acitizen of the United States, residing at Winchester, in the county of Randolph and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corpse-Dressing Table- Tops; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, suchas will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and iigures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a device upon which to rest the bodies of de` ceased persons to facilitate their embalming, dressing or robin g. Iaccomplish my object by the means hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1, is a perspective view of my device. Fig. 2, is asidelelevation thereof, partly in section. Fig. 3, is a bottom View thereof, and Fig. 4, is a perspective view of the device folded.

Like characters of reference indicate the same parts throughout the several views.

The table top, in two parts A and A', is supported by the legs B and B hinged to the under side of the frame of the top at 5. The legs are held normally in position to support the top when in use by the spring braces 6 6 attached to the frame at one end and having an eye at the free end tov engage with a detent 7 upon the lower side of the cross-brace 8 to which the legs are attached, Fig. 2.

In the center of the partA of the table top I provide the removable board C having the ratchet 9 at one end to engage with the support I0 pivoted in the sides of the opening in part A as shown at 11, Figs. l and 3. The opposite inner end of the board when in-use, bears against the end of the frame in the table top, part A, at l2, resting in the recess I2.

In operation, the table being unfolded and in its normal position for use the board C is elevatedv at its outer end the desired distance by the engagement of the support 10 with the ratchet 9 thus giving a body resting upon the board a desired inclination and affording an opportunity for the operator to readily work on either side of the body dressing over the board. When the body has undergone the proper manipulation and dressing the board may be slipped from between the body and the covering leaving the body resting upon the table, the inner end of the board being prevented from falling beneath the table by the spring 6. Openings I3 are supplied at each corner of the table top to receive cords or standards with which to assisi in handling the body. It is plain that by releasing the spring lbraces 6, Ithe table legs may be folded inwardly, when the top parts A and A may be folded together, the support l0 lowered beneath the top and the board C lowered so that it will be Iiush with the outer surface of the part A, thus closing the table into a compact form so that when not in use or when being transported it will occupya minimum of space. The parts A and A when folded are secured by the hook I3 and eye I4.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In a corpse dressing table a table top having a removable section adjustable in its inclination by a support engaginga ratchet attached to the removable section, the inner end of the removable section having its bearing in the table frame, as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a corpse dressing table a table top in two parts hinged together, having a removable section adjustable in its inclination by a support engaging a ratchet attached to the removable section, the inner end of the removable section having its bearing in the table frame as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a corpse dressing table a table top in two parts hinged together having a removable section adjustable in its inclination by a support engaging a ratchet attached to the removable section, the inner end of the removable section having its bearing in the table frame in combination with supporting legs hinged in the frame of the top and held normally in position to support the top by spring braces attached to the frame at one end and engaging at the free end with a detentinthe cross brace to which the legs are attached, as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LAURA B. I-IUDDLESTON. Witnesses:

ALBERT F. HUDDLEsToN,

WILLIAM AEBAUGH.

IOO 

